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Signs of mental illness

The World Health Organisation describes good mental health as: 'a state of wellbeing in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community'.

What is mental illness?

Mental illness is a general term that refers to a group of illnesses affecting the mind, in the same way that physical illness affects the body.

A mental illness is a clinically diagnosable illness that affects a person's thinking, emotional state or social abilities. It may disrupt their ability to work, carry out daily activities or have satisfying personal relationships.

Just as all people are different, so too are the types of mental illness and their impact. Some people may require support for a short amount of time whereas others may need life-long support.

Often people experience mental illness for a long time before finding help.

About 1 in 5 Australians will experience a mental illness in any given year, and almost half will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives.

What causes mental illness?

There are a number of factors that can contribute to a mental illness, such as:

a chemical imbalance in the brain

stressful life events

drug use.

Common mental illnesses and disorders

Depression

It is important to understand the difference between the normal feelings of unhappiness or sadness which all of us experience at various stages of life and the symptoms of clinical depression.

Clinical depression is a state of extreme distress where the sufferer feels empty or numb rather than just sad.

A depressed person is unable to enjoy life normally or break out of the depressed state.

A persistent depressed mood may be considered a disorder when it is present all or most of the time, for at least 2 weeks.

Postnatal depression (PND)

It is common for women to experience increased emotions or feelings of being overwhelmed during the weeks after giving birth.

When emotional distress is constant and disabling it can reach the level of clinical depression. Postnatal depression (PND) is the name given to depression that develops between 1 month and up to 1 year after the birth of a baby.

PND can be a devastating and debilitating illness that affects not just a new mother but everyone around her, and in particular her relationship (or attachment) with her new baby.

PND can be mild, moderate or severe and symptoms can begin suddenly after birth or appear gradually in the weeks or months during the first year after birth.